Seattle is a charming port city nestled between mountains and the Pacific Ocean. It has a strong cultural influence, notably as the birthplace of Grunge music, and has produced several corporate giants including Microsoft, Boeing, Amazon and Starbucks.
Seattle enjoys a mild, temperate climate and, with its 125 parks, it is affectionately known as the "Emerald City". Before the arrival of European explorers in 1851, the area had been inhabited by Native American tribes for more than 4,000 years. In fact, Chief Seattle, a prominent leader of his time, is featured on the city's flag.
DOWNTOWN
PIKE PLACE MARKET
Pike Place is one of the oldest farmers markets in the United States. It covers more than three hectares and is filled with produce stands, craft stalls, food stalls, shops and restaurants. Be sure to get a coffee at the very first Starbucks, which opened in 1972 at 1912 Pike Place.
Pike Place Market's unofficial mascot, Rachel the Pig, a bronze cast piggy bank that weighs 550 pounds, stands at the main entrance to the market. Rachel collects money for the Market Foundation to fund social programs. It is said that she can receive up to $9,000 a year!
Arrive before 11 am to avoid parking problems. Corner of 1st Ave & Pike Street, Seattle
SEATTLE ART MUSEUM
The Seattle Art Museum (commonly known as "SAM") is a world-class museum and a must-visit for art lovers, from neophytes to experts. The museum's growing collection contains more than 25,000 works of art from around the world.
Collection themes include Native American art, American art, Asian art, European art, African art, Islamic art, Oceanic art, Modern & Contemporary art, as well as ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian art, textiles, furniture, and much more.
SEATTLE GREAT WHEEL
The iconic Seattle Great Wheel is not to be missed, if only to enjoy the most spectacular views of the city, the ocean and the surrounding mountains.
Unlike traditional Ferris wheels, this giant wheel is equipped with fully-enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas that can seat up to 8 people. The views at sunset are simply stunning!
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND
If you're in the mood for an island getaway, catch a ferry on Pier 52 to Bainbridge Island, a charming island just off the coast. The ferry crossing takes about 35 minutes.
Once on the island you can enjoy a stroll through one of the many parks, explore art galleries and eclectic boutiques, try a local restaurant, or sample wines at a vineyard.
MONORAIL
The monorail, which was built for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, is one of the city's icons. It has two stations, connecting downtown (Westlake Center) to Seattle Center via 5th Avenue, a distance of 1 mile (1.6 km). Today it carries more than 2 million passengers each year and up to 6,000 passengers per hour in both directions.
Trains leave from each station approximately every ten minutes. The Seattle Monorail runs generally from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
Cash payment only. If you are leaving from downtown (Westlake Center at the corner of 5th Ave and Pine St.), park at Pacific Place Parking Garage (entrances on 6th and 7th Ave between Olive Way and Pine St). If you take the Seattle Center Monorail (next to the Space Needle), park at Seattle Center 5th Ave Garage (entrances on Harrison St. and Republican St., east of 5th Avenue).
TAKE A GHOST TOUR OF SEATTLESeveral haunted tours are offered in Seattle. Most take place year-round, but they can be especially fun to do in October, close to Halloween. It is best to book in advance.
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SEATTLE CENTER
MUSEUM OF POP CULTURE
This museum, created in 2000 by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, is dedicated to contemporary popular culture, and explores the ideas and risks that fuel it. With its roots in rock 'n' roll, the so-called "MoPOP" has several collections, exhibits and educational programs that use interactive technologies.
The museum's exhibits include: "Pearl Jam: Home and Away", "Minecraft: The Exhibition", "Nirvana: Taking Punk To The Masses", "Guitar Gallery", "Infinite Worlds of Science Fiction", "Sound Lab", "Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic" and more.
CHIHULY GARDEN AND GLASS
Chihuly Garden and Glass takes visitors on a trip through the colourful, fantastic imagination of artist and glassworker Dale Chihuly, and provides a look at the influences and inspirations that have informed his career. The exhibition includes eight galleries, the centerpiece Glasshouse and a lush Garden.
The museum also has a gift shop and a restaurant. Plan to spend between 1 and 2 hours enjoying all the exhibition has to offer.
SPACE NEEDLE
Visiting Seattle without going to the top of the Space Needle is like visiting Paris without going to the top of the Eiffel Tower. This 183-metre metal tower is a symbol of Seattle and a landmark of the city's skyline. You will learn all about the history of Seattle, as well as enjoying 360-degree panoramic views from the observation platform. On a clear day you can see all the way to Mount Rainier.
Reservations required.
KERRY PARK
This small park is about 20 minutes walk from Seattle Center. It provides some of the best views of Seattle, for stunning photographs of the Space Needle, downtown and the mountains in the distance. A short walk that is really worth the detour!
SEATTLE'S GUM WALLMuch more than just a wall! Since 1993, passersby have been coming to stick their used chewing gum on the walls on either side of Post Alley, a hidden alleyway close to Pike Place Market. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of blobs of gum have accumulated on the brick walls, and the Gum Wall has become a local landmark. The alleyway has even served as a setting for movies and television. In 2015, local authorities attempted to clean the wall, but new gum blobs started reappearing a few days later. Clearly this is a photo opportunity you won't want to miss! |
WOODLAND PARK ZOO
Founded in 1899, the Woodland Park Zoo welcomes more than one million visitors annually, who come to see the 300 different animal species, living in carefully-made replicas of their natural habitat.
The zoo's 92 acres are divided into bioclimatic zones, featuring different natural habitats and exhibits including the following:
African Savanna, Australasia (Australia, New Zealand, etc.), Humboldt Penguins (from the hot, arid coastal regions of Peru), Northern Trail (Alaska's tundra and taiga), Temperate Forest, Tropical Asia and Tropical Rain Forest. If you have young children, be sure to take them for a ride on the historic wooden carousel with magnificent hand-carved horses.
Nearby
MUSEUM OF FLIGHT
The Museum of Flight is the largest independent, non-profit air and space museum in the world! Created in 1965, its175 aircraft and spacecraft and thousands of artifacts, and many exhibits and activities bring mankind's incredible history of flight to life.
Don't miss the flight simulators, the many interactive activities, the original Boeing factory building from 1916, the 3D movie theatre and the Space Gallery, which showcases the history of the Space Shuttle.
The museum also houses an indoor playground, the museum store and two cafes.
Festivals calendar
Seattle International Film Festival
Dates: mid-May
A major international festival presenting more than 400 films from over 85 countries.
Northwest Folklife Festival
Dates: late May
The festival's main mission is to bring together the communities of the region with more than 5,000 artists performing on 20 different stages.
Bumbershoot Festival
Dates: early September
International music and arts festival showcasing the best of comedy, dance, film, literary arts, music, performing arts, theatre, visual arts and more.
